Facelift surgery involves tightening of the facial and neck muscles as well as the removal of any excess skin. The skin begins to wrinkle and sag as a result of age, sun exposure and genetics. Children and young adults have smooth, round faces due to evenly distributed fatty tissues in facial contours.
Over time, the skin sags and folds, causing the chin, jawline, and neck to become prominent. Not only does a facelift improve facial appearance, but it also has a dramatic effect on the neck, enhancing its contour and profile. A facelift can make a patient look 5 to 10 years younger. As dramatic as the end results are, this is not a simple procedure. It requires a week to 10 days of recovery.
If you are considering a facelift in Orange County, CA, then reach out to Dr. Hisham Seify for a consultation by calling (949) 251-1502 or completing our online form. We are located in Newport Beach, CA, and proudly serve patients visiting us from Orange County, CA, including Irvine, Tustin, Santa Ana, Mission Viejo, and Huntington Beach.
Listen in as Dr. Seify discusses common questions and concerns, as well as the process associated with Facelift and Deep-Plane Facelift Surgery in this podcast with eHealth Radio.
To understand the difference between a deep plane facelift and a traditional facelift, one requires a thorough understanding of the facial tissue structure, particularly the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS), facial muscles, and underlying tissues. The SMAS is a critical layer of connective tissue and muscle beneath the facial skin that plays a significant role in facial rejuvenation. The deep plane facelift technique specifically targets the SMAS and deeper tissues to achieve a more youthful and rested appearance.
The facial structure consists of multiple layers, including:
Let the experts at Newport Plastic Surgery help you navigate the complex anatomy and achieve optimal results. By precisely repositioning the deeper structures, the deep plane facelift technique ensures a more natural and long-lasting rejuvenation, enhancing both the appearance and function of the facial features.
A deep plane facelift surgery is a sophisticated facial rejuvenation procedure that targets the deeper layers of the facial skin and underlying tissues to restore a more youthful and refreshed appearance. Unlike traditional facelifts that primarily address the superficial layers, the deep plane facelift technique delves deeper, repositioning the underlying muscles and connective tissues. This approach effectively addresses sagging jowls, sunken cheeks, and deep wrinkles, resulting in a firmer, smoother, and more contoured facial profile. By lifting and tightening the deeper structures, the deep plane facelift surgery provides a more natural and long-lasting rejuvenation, making it one of the most effective facelift techniques available today.
A deep plane facelift offers several distinct advantages over other facelift techniques, making it a preferred choice for many seeking comprehensive facial rejuvenation:
These benefits make the deep plane facelift a highly effective and sought-after procedure for those looking to achieve a youthful and natural appearance.
We will evaluate your medical history to determine your overall health. Your doctor will discuss how your face can look and what you can expect from surgery. Whether you are interested in a deep plane facelift or a traditional facelift, our objective is to create a natural-looking appearance that is pleasing to you. Before and after photographs will reveal what the surgery has accomplished.
Preoperative Instructions: Avoid drugs that contain aspirin several weeks prior to surgery to minimize excess bleeding. You may be required to take antibiotics to prevent infection. You may be instructed to shampoo your hair the night before surgery. A small amount of hair may be shaved around your ears and temples.
Facelifts and Deep Plane Facelifts are frequently performed in conjunction with eyelid surgery, brow lift, chin augmentation, and/or liposuction to create an overall rejuvenation of the face. The procedure can be repeated as gravity continues its effects after the first surgery.
Facelifts are performed in our surgery center under general anesthesia for total patient comfort. The surgeon will make incisions inside the hairline at the temple, in front of the ear, then around the earlobe and behind the ear, ending at the scalp area. Excess skin is removed, and sagging muscles and connective tissues are tightened. Neck contouring may require an incision under the chin. Incisions are closed with small sutures.
The procedure may take up to 5 hours, depending on whether any other procedures are performed at the same time.
We recommend that you stay in our overnight suite or have someone drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours. Initially, you will have a dressing wrapped around your head. You may or may not have surgical drains attached to bulbs hanging at your neck. These will be removed in approximately 24 hours. The stitches around the ears will be loosened or removed in a few days. The scalp sutures will be removed in 7 to 10 days.
To minimize scarring, the doctor may remove the sutures in stages. Scarring fades quickly. Swelling and discoloration decrease within two weeks. Tightness in your face will be present for several weeks, and there may be slight changes in your hair pattern around the incision.
We recommend that you avoid the sun for several weeks after surgery. Complications following a facelift are rare. These include bleeding, infection, loss of skin behind the ears, facial nerve injury, discoloration of the skin, numbness, asymmetry, and scarring. Infection is rare due to the large blood supply to the face. As mentioned, the risk of bleeding is greater if you take aspirin or blood thinners within 2 weeks of the surgery. The risk of wound complications increases in diabetics, people with a history of radiation, autoimmune and collagen disease, as well as in smokers. By following pre- and post-operative instructions, you will minimize potential problems.
Dr. Hisham Seify is a renowned board-certified plastic surgeon based in Newport Beach, serving the greater Orange County area. With an impressive background that includes advanced fellowships and prestigious awards, Dr. Seify is committed to delivering the highest standards of patient care. His approach emphasizes attentive listening to patient concerns and offering customized surgical solutions with meticulous attention to detail. Specializing in both aesthetic and reconstructive procedures, Dr. Seify strives to make each patient’s experience positive and transformative.
In the weeks following surgery, the facial skin and area around the ear may be numb. There may also be some temporary discoloration as healing begins, which may take a few months to disappear. Occasionally, a facial nerve is bruised during surgery, resulting in temporary loss of function or sensation. However, actual permanent damage to the facial nerve is rare.
The healing process is gradual, so you will not notice the final results for up to 6 months. A single procedure often achieves the desired results. Most patients who have had facelifts are pleased with their new, more youthful appearance. Additionally, deep plane facelift recovery typically involves less trauma to the skin and muscle, resulting in a shorter recovery time compared to other facelift methods.
The goal of a facelift is to reverse the signs of aging on the face by tightening the underlying facial tissues and muscles; removing excess fatty deposits in the face, neck, and jaw, eliminating wrinkles, lines, and folds, and excising loose or saggy skin. The effects of a well-done facelift are generally visible for about 7 to 10 years after the procedure, but unfortunately, despite our best efforts, time and environmental exposure continue to affect and damage our appearance. Eventually, many people who have already had one facelift will seek another to correct the continued effects of time. A revision or secondary facelift is, simply put, a facelift performed on an individual who has already had a prior facelift procedure at some point in the past.
Candidates for a revision facelift include:
At Newport Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Associates, Dr. Hisham Seify offers both plastic and reconstructive surgical options to patients across southern California, including Irvine, Tustin, Santa Ana, Mission Viejo, and Newport Beach. Contact the Newport Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Associates office today at (949) 251-1502 or fill out our online form and discover how facelift or deep-plane facelift surgery can help you.
Before your consultation, compile your medical history, including past surgeries, medications, and any health conditions, as this information is vital for assessing your suitability for surgery. List your concerns and questions about the procedure, recovery process, risks, and anticipated
results to ensure all topics are covered. Bring photos of yourself to illustrate your facial features and desired changes. It’s also important to discuss your lifestyle habits, like smoking, alcohol consumption, and skincare routines, as these factors can affect surgery and recovery.
In general, facelift surgery takes 3-6 hours depending on whether forehead, eyelids, and fat grafting are included in the procedure.
Facelifts are commonly done between 40 years old and beyond as long as the patient is in good health, as recommended by Dr. Seify.
A mini facelift addresses the lower face and portions of the neck without extensive dissection. It is important to know that it is not recommended for all patients. Dr. Seify needs to address the aging process with all possible techniques to get the best results.
A more sophisticated method of facial rejuvenation is provided by deep plane facelifts, that target the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system), includes the deeper layers of the face, such as muscles and connective tissues. This method addresses underlying sagging and volume loss in addition to surface-level aging by enabling the complete lifting and repositioning of facial structures. Deep plane facelifts restore youthful contours with long-lasting effects by operating at a deeper level and producing dramatic yet natural-looking results.
Unlike traditional facelifts, which mainly focus on tightening the skin, or mini-facelifts, which involve less invasive adjustments and smaller incisions, deep plane facelifts provide a holistic transformation. They are perfect for people with advanced signs of aging because they target multiple areas, including the neck, jowls, and midface. Mini-facelifts, on the other hand, provide localized enhancements to the lower face and jawline with a quicker recovery period, making them more appropriate for people with minor concerns.
For patients seeking more significant anti-aging facial enhancements, deep plane facelifts stand out. By repositioning deeper facial tissues and enhancing structural support, they not only smooth wrinkles but also restore volume where it has diminished over time. While the recovery period is slightly longer due to the extent of the procedure, the outcome is a rejuvenated and naturally youthful appearance that can last significantly longer than results from traditional or mini-facelifts.
Recovery after a deep plane facelift is not so different from the recovery of a traditional facelift; however, because this procedure works on the deeper structural layers of the face it can take a little more time. In the first week, patients may notice swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort, which are completely normal. Rest is crucial during this period, and any discomfort can typically be managed with the prescribed pain medications from Dr. Seify.
In the months following the procedure, typically between three to six months, the full results of the facelift become visible. As the skin, muscles, and tissues settle into their new positions, patients can enjoy a rejuvenated, youthful appearance. By this stage, any lingering swelling has usually resolved, revealing the natural and lasting effects of the deep plane facelift. With patience and proper care, the outcome can be both transformative and long-lasting, making the recovery process a rewarding experience for those seeking comprehensive facial rejuvenation.
There are non-surgical options for facial rejuvenation that provide some benefits similar to a traditional facelift. These include:
While these non-surgical options offer less invasive alternatives with shorter recovery times, depending on individual expectations and goals, their results may not be as dramatic or long-lasting as those achieved with a surgical facelift.
To prolong the results of your facelift, diligently follow Dr. Seify’s post-operative instructions, which include:
These steps will help sustain the rejuvenated appearance achieved through your facelift for as long as possible.
Most patients can go out in public one week after surgery with makeup. Bruising and swelling could be variable between different people, but within 2-3 weeks it should be almost gone.
Walking is encouraged in the same week, but strenuous exercise is usually recommended 6-8 weeks from surgery.
The duration varies depending on the specific type of surgery, but typically ranges from 2 to 4 weeks on average.
Smoking significantly increases the risk of complications during and after a facelift surgery. Therefore, it is highly recommended to quit smoking before undergoing the procedure.
The incisions for a deep plane facelift are strategically placed to ensure minimal visibility while allowing access to deeper facial tissues. Typically, the incisions begin at the hairline near the temples, extend down in front of the ear, curve around the earlobe, and continue behind the ear into the hairline. This placement allows Dr. Seify to camouflage scars within natural creases and hairlines, making them nearly imperceptible once healed.
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